The World Naked Bike Ride has organised the seven-mile ride around the town and seafront for the past two years, with Saturday’s event proving popular.

The ride is billed as an environmental protest against “the destructive elements of car culture” and cycling naked “demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets”.

Lead organiser Robert Brown said: “The ride went really well and was very well received by people in the town.

“We only had about four negative comments made but the rest of the time we were applauded.

“I can’t thank the Toby Carvery in Clacton enough for what they have done for us in allowing us to start and finish the bike ride there for the past two years.”

Mr Brown criticised Tendring District Council’s objections to the bike ride which saw 40 people take part, including one cyclist who had travelled from South Africa.

“The council is just wrong about everything it has said,” he added. “We had a good response from people.

“We were not doing anything illegal or wrong and mind our own business.

“We will continue to do it next year and the councils behaviour is just ridiculous.” Tendring District Council urged organisers to cancel the ride after concerns from residents following last year’s event and questioned whether the event was a genuine protest.

Speaking previously, a council spokesman said: “Last year the ride was billed as a peaceful environmental protest but there was no evidence of environmental issues, banners or a message, and it appeared to be a promotion of naturism.”

He also said the council disputes that the event increases business to the town and feels it is more likely to damage trade.

Why is this in weird and wacky? And Ipswichite, it is demonstrably proven that children who have a relaxed attitude to their body through not being told it's rude and dirty are MUCH less likely to suffer from body dismorphia and other related psychological problems.

@Boris: Flout means, among other things, to 'thumb one's nose up' and that is exactly what these people were doing. Ringing bells and honking horns (I hope they were horns) to make sure everyone looked on. One rotund gentlemen was even painted orange to look like tango man, whilst another was standing on his pedals, his bits waving in the air. Fine, exercise your right to get your kit off, but choose a place a little further from the innocence of children enjoying their summer holiday

To Ipswichite I say it is you you need to read up on the law and the intentions of parliament in framing that law. Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to which you linked does not apply to the situation of the WNBR; it is aimed at the classic 'flasher'. If you look up Hansard for the debate for that very clause, will find a quote from Lord Falconer of Thoroton made on 19 May 2003 saying: "Finally, do we intend to catch the streaker? No, we do not. Do we intend to catch the naturist? No, we do not." This was accepted and is the reason that law is worded the way it is.

Joya, cycling naked along a packed Clacton sea front on a sunny Saturday afternoon might be your idea of de-stressing, but for the rest of us that were subjected to 30 sets of privates on display passing 6 feet from where children were playing smacks of 'I will do whatever I like and you lot will have to deal with it.' Go to a private beach, or if you must flout nudity in public places choose a quieter time. Better still, read up on the laws about exposing genitals in public: http:www.legislation.gov.ukukpga200342section66

Well done to all who took part.... and Well Done!!! to the vast majority of the spectators who applauded and encouraged the riders. Clacton is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century!!! It is worth noting that another bike ride, with over 500 participants, took place not far away. Nobody noticed. But then, they were dressed. Nudity has been a very useful weapon in the armoury of those who wish to protest, ever since the days of Lady Godiva. And.... nobody got hurt in this protest, unlike many others which see police and protesters carted away in ambulances after clashing.... And, WELL DONE!!! to the police, who did their job of ensuring the LEGAL activity (the WNBR) was able to take place without harrassment from a few ignorant prigs.

Nudism is NOT about seeing or being seen. It's about de-stressing, relaxing, and returning to innocence. It's about accepting yourself and others for who you are, how you act, and what you say, rather than what you look like, wear, or own. It's simply the feel-good feeling of the air, water on you without the constriction of clothing. Check LocalNudistSingle com out to meet nudist friends online. Connecting nudistsnaturists with similar interests.